Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative arthritis, is a chronic condition affecting the joints. It is the most common form of arthritis affecting as much as 27 million Americans today. [1] It is caused by the breakdown of the cartilage in the joints. The cartilage is the soft tissue that serves as a cushion in between bones. Cartilage damage causes the bones to rub against each other, resulting to pain, inflammation, and difficulty in movement.
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in your body, but it most commonly affects the hands, hips, knees, lower back, and neck. It affects people differently. Before age 45, more men than women have osteoarthritis; after age 45, it is more common in women. In most cases, symptoms develop gradually over time. For some, it causes minimal impact in their daily activities; while for others, it causes severe pain and disability. [2]
Although more prevalent in older people, osteoarthritis also affects younger people. The exact cause remains unknown; however, there are several factors that have been known to cause osteoarthritis such as the ageing process, obesity or being overweight, joint injuries, and genetic defects.
There is no cure for osteoarthritis but there are treatments that help relieve pain and improve joint function. Treatment for osteoarthritis is often a combination of lifestyle changes, exercise, diet, medications, alternative medicines, and surgery.
- Exercise. A physical therapist can help you with the proper exercises that will improve your flexibility, without aggravating your joint damage.
- Pain relievers. Acetaminophens and NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation.
- Healthy diet and weight management. Eat healthy foods and maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on joints.
- Surgery. Medical surgeries include joint replacement, cartilage cell replacement, bone repositioning, and fusing bones.
- Alternative therapies. Acupuncture has been known to reduce pain and improve joint function. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have been known to improve symptoms of osteoarthritis as well. Hyaluronic acid is also used for cartilage repair.
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